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Radical square-toed boot unveiled for football

A square-toed football boot designed and patented in Australia has been launched in London with a promise to revolutionise the beautiful game.

The Serafino 4th Edge boot was unveiled at the Planet Hollywood restaurant in Piccadilly Circus on Tuesday in front of a host of former English Premier League players and managers.

The concept is the brainchild of Sydney fashion designer John Serafino in conjunction with London-based Australian entrepreneur Mel Braham and long-time SBS football host Les Murray.

It's the most radical development in soccer footwear since Australia's former Liverpool midfielder Craig Johnston designed the blueprint for Adidas Predator 20 years ago and Braham believes it has the potential to be even more successful when it launches worldwide in the new year.

"I believe it has the opportunity to be even bigger than the Predator," Braham told AAP.

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"I think it will change the game permanently. The reason the toe has never been used by players is that you never knew which direction the ball was going to go and it was hard to generate power.

"Also, boots today have become lighter and lighter and foot injuries have increased substantially.

"We've worked hard on comfort and protection of the metatarsal bone.

"For the first time you have a boot that allows you to kick with the toe and generate power and accuracy. It also offers all the same qualities as other boots with the extra option of using the toe to drive the ball harder."

Serafino's design has been six years in the making and there were 32 prototypes created before a final product was given the seal of approval by professional players who have been road testing the boot.

Former West Ham and Charlton boss Alan Curbishley, who is currently caretaker manager of Fulham, said players will look at anything to give them an extra edge and admitted to being pleasantly surprised when he tried them out.

"The stand out thing is the toe and when you look at them you think they'll be uncomfortable, but that is not the case at all," Curbishley told AAP.

"I am just thinking that perhaps when you see (Cristiano) Ronaldo or Gareth Bale taking those free-kicks where the ball moves all over the place they have to have a run-out to generate the power.

"With this toe-bit I don't think you need the run up so much and the ball will still move about in the air.